Worlds Most Dangerous Road Riding adv motorcycles, Tiger 800s, with Novo Adventures
Satisfied and still alive! Welcome to the Death Road…
So… Do I think The Yungas is still worthy of the infamous ‘death road’ name? Well there are sheer drop offs, no railings, landslides and drops that will give butterflies to even the bravest of souls…but given traffic is now largely just tourism, with normal users rerouted to the new road, you’re more likely to meet a mountain biker than a bus on the hairpins. It’s certainly a buzz to get the adrenaline going and give you some epic views, but it’s no long a big killer.
I was lucky enough to I ride Death Road in Bolivia on Tiger Triumph 800s with Novo Adventures and I would say it’s one for the bucket list in SA.
Who fancies it?
And if you’re new to my YouTube please, please do hit subscribe, share, comment, like and all that lovely stuff. You guys rock!
More about the road and why you should ride it:
Yungas Road, grimly known as ‘Death Road’ due to its notoriously high death rate of 200-300 annually until the mid 90s, was cut into the side of the Cordillera Oriental Mountain in the 1930s by Paraguayan prisoners during the Chaco War. A combination of single track roads, 900m high cliffs, rainy weather, limited visibility, rockfalls, and lack of guardrails, has resulted in many motorists plummeting to their death.
Surrounded by mountainous terrain and terrifying precipices, the winding road stretches 69kms reaching 4,650 meters from La Paz to Coroico, connecting the Amazonian rain-forest to the capital city.
Death Road was the only link between La Paz and the Yungas region of Bolivia. It was thus not uncommon for crowded buses and trucks overloaded with people, wood and crops to overtake each other on the 3 meter hairpin turns, even at night. These perilous conditions meant many of the buses and trucks went down the side of the cliffs taking all passengers with them .
So why would we want to ride it on motorcycles? Is it still as dangerous?
In 2009, construction of an alternative road replacing the dangerous 64km stretch was completed with all traffic being diverted. Enabling motorists to travel from La Paz to Coroico without fearing the journey may be their last. But The Yungas remains open for those who dare.
Even with these improved traffic conditions, Yungas Road shows no mercy. Nowadays, the death toll is limited to local workers and daredevil tourists still using the infamous road. It is believed that more than 22 riders have lost their lives on Bolivia’s “Death Road” since 1998.
Thankfully we passed the challenge and made it to La Paz. What a blast riding on such an infamous road! The wobbly belly feeling as you glance a look at the huge descent a mere few feet from your tyres that scrabble for traction.
An absolute bucket list for riders and one I’m so proud to have completed.
Riding Bolivia with Novo Adventures
Operating from the heart of Bolivia they offer all-inclusive motorcycle tours and 4×4 rentals so you can truly explore South America. They’re also transforming lives in the local community with all profits funding drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. More here: NovoAdventures.com
Check out riding the Bolivian Salt Flats too – here.
If you’re wondering what to wear for enduro and hard enduro to keep you safe then you’ve come to the right place. Here are my must have Leatt products keeping me protected.
Leatt protection and Kecks underwear
Partly bionic inside and out! With enduro riding holding its risks here’s how I keep my body as protected as possible… Given my history I know only too well how much it sucks having a broken body (see accident story) and so I know that I’d rather take a financial hit now and protect myself. Instead of waiting for something to happen, like blowing my knee out, and then wishing I’d just bought the right kit!
The body is our home for life so I want to keep mine safe…but I’m not going to let that worry stop me pushing it to its limits riding.
Note – all gear is unisex and not made for females so suitable for all enduro and hard enduro riders looking for the best body protection for their enduro riding!
Here’s the breakdown of my enduro body protection kit, I’m definitely a Leatt lover and you’ll have seen I’ve had some big falls and been OK 🤣:
Feet – thigh high boot and knee socks to prevent rubbing by Leattknee brace socks. I then wear the Leatt GPX 5.5 Flexlock boots. I find they are far more protective and supportive compared to my previous Alpinestars Tech 7 boots. The GPX offer much more durability, support and comfort to me.
Knee – Leatt X Frame guards for full rotation and hyperextension protection plus full impact. Before these I had the Leatt Dual Axis, less protection but still awesome for your first knee guard. I took the jump to full guards as I realised that knees are one of the most common injuries and can completely end your riding career, so I spend the money to keep them safer.
Booty – impact shorts to the highest impact rating for hip, thigh and coccyx that are low profile and fitted so no fat ass 😝 – Leatt shorts 3DF 5.0. Note, I found these come up small re sizing. I’m a UK 8 and have to wear the medium shorts as the legs are quite tight on the quad.
Upper body – LeattAirfit 3DF body armour including chest, back, elbow and shoulders with malleable protection so it’s mega snuggly to wear. Like a big cuddle of safety. I always wear the full protection, when I fall or catch a rock it means you barely even feel it, giving you confidence but most importantly, reducing injury and bruising.
Private area 😉 – kept nice and comfortable with men’s @kecks boxers. Absolutely dreamy even for a lady! Trust me! I previously wore just my normal underwear but realised, especially when adding impact shorts, that the Kecks boxers fit like a glove and prevent any rubbing. I hope they make a women’s pair soon as a few tweaks would make them far more female friendly. Use “VR15” for 15% off Kecks.
Eyes – I vital part of staying safe riding, I’ve found Scott Prospect are the most comfortable hard wearing and best at not steaming up. I use their light sensitive lenses so you’re always best equipped for the light conditions. These intelligent lenses change from clear to full sunglasses as you ride through varying light such as woodland or open spaces. For races I add the roll-off kit to keep my vision clear.
The twins 👙 – high impact sports bra. This is just a cheap Tesco @fandfclothing one which have proven to be my favourites, only £12!
Click here to see the kit list on Amazon to save you searching. I do make a small commission for any Amazon buys through their affiliate programme so thank you in advance if you do shop. It all helps me keep the content coming 🥰
Experience biking
freedom like nowhere else on the Salar de Uyuni, South America
My eyes flicker as
we approach a mysterious white mass of landscape. It’s something my mind simply
cannot seem to process as we ride off the end of the dusty dirt road onto the
Salar de Uyuni. My subconscious is racing through its memory bank, working to comprehend
the ground before me. It’s brilliant white, almost smooth, but rugged. My mind
instantly references snow and my body tenses, bracing for the imminent slip.
Ever wondered what 10 billion tons of salt looks like. This is it! 1 m thick and 4,085 square miles
But wait. It’s not
ice, this is the salt flats. Yet despite this realisation I’m fighting to
reassure myself that my Triumph Tiger’s tyres are going to grip this alien
surface. Before we edge further into the flats, which are nearly completely dry
in the intense sunshine, I simply have to stop and feel it for myself…
Swinging off the
bike, I expect to slip in the snow-like material beneath my feet, but I quickly
recalibrate my brain. The grip is incredible and the soles of my boots bite the
ground. The surface is not like snow or sand – it’s firm despite its
appearance. I remount and push forwards, with a new appreciation of how solid
the Tiger feels beneath me.
Now my mind can
focus on what’s around us – which is quite simply nothing! Like being at sea on
a calm day, apart from the odd dot on the horizon you’re completely alone. We
progress onto the 4085 square mile flats (100 times larger Bonneville in the
United States), and quickly lose perspective of space and time. Distances and
speeds become flattened by the lack of reference points in the landscape. But
we’re building confidence now, speed is up and we’re weaving around, darting
playfully with each other and the support truck.
Between May and
October the salt flats are completely dry in the middle with a crunchy crust
estimated to be one metre in depth. Formed 30,000 to 42,000 years ago, the area
was part of a giant prehistoric lake, Lake Minchin, which dried up leaving
behind a couple of seasonal puddles and several salt pans, including Salar de
Uyuni. There’s a lengthy dry season, but visit in January when the plain
experiences an average rainfall of 80cm, and you’ll be faced with a mirror-like
water base.
In May the dried
plain makes for a pretty solid but smooth ride, but you soon realise that there
are slushy areas which require you to push your weight back and float through
with the front wheel light, like you would on sand. Then there’s the random 1-2
foot bore holes, which need to be tackled at speed to prevent the bike from
nose-diving into them.
With a lunch reservation to meet, we push on hard. It really must be one of the only places on Earth where you can pin the throttle at 93mph (any faster and the tough terrain sent the bike into a rather uncomfortable wobble) and stay there for well over an hour, eyes locked to the medium size mountain on the horizon – our only bearing for direction.
Flags are planted by the worldwide visitors to the flats. If your flag isn’t there feel free to leave one
We’d been told we had a table for lunch so as we approach the Isla Incahuasi, a submerged historic volcano peak lined with gigantic cacti believed to be over 1000 years old, I was rather surprised to see our tour leader Andy ride straight past. I couldn’t see anything else for miles ahead and my belly was rumbling, please let it be a mistake. He pulls up to a random 4×4 and after a few rapid exchanges with the driver, switches off his bike. Why are we stopping? But then I spot it. Right there, in the middle of nothingness is a fully laid out table. Beers, salad and a huge array of meats. Did I just land in heaven? Talk about private dining, I’d pick this over a restaurant any day.
Lunch was laid out in the nothingness
Bellies full, we
jump back on the bikes and set off into the infinity pool of nothingness.
Weaving and twisting, our bikes dancing as we glide towards to the shadowed
outline of volcano Tunupa and our hotel for the night, Tayka de Sal. Turning
off-course and away from our fellow riders, I decide to take on a challenge;
over lunch our tour leader talked of a rider who rode for a minute with his
eyes closed, and, well, let’s just say I’m competitive… With guidance from my
husband over my intercom, I take the plunge, heart racing. It was 3.6 miles
later when I opened my eyes – five minutes riding blind! And on that note, we
accelerated off to our destination and began a climb of volcano Tunupa. What a
place. It really is like riding on Mars, and I never knew nothingness could be
so much fun!
The monument was built to mark the plain’s involvement with the Dakar rally
Novo Adventures run a 10-day tour to Bolivia, including the Salar de Uyuni, and all profits go to charities that support addiction recovery. A fully supported tour costs £4000 and includes, a guide, lodging, food, rental of a Tiger 800 and fuel. You will stay deep in the jungle, stay on the edge of the world’s largest salt flats, and ride in one of the most diverse countries in the world. www.NovoAdventures.com
When winter hits it’s cold, it’s wet, dark and it’s pretty
darn miserable but that also means it’s absolutely epic for enduro riding! The
wet slippery, muddy terrain is off road riding heaven. Well if you like that
kind of thing. For some this sounds more like their idea of hell so how about a
long weekend in the sunshine for some mid-winter riding?
Introducing ToroTrail in Spain. With a brand-new fleet of 2020 Husqvarna motorcycles, including four and two-stroke, it’s a moto retreat just a short drive from Malaga airport in Southern Spain. The Toro team have nailed the ultimate weekend offering for two-wheel lovers. Fly in, borrow all the kit, stay in the villa equipped with pool, hot tub and onsite catering for bacon roll breakfasts and fresh coffee, and then of course enjoy the epic riding southern Spain has to offer.
ToroTrail, Malaga
They even manage to nail the boring stuff. Imagine a safety
briefing that includes “Wheelies? We LOVE them…if you can do them. Otherwise,
don’t, you’ll die!” Giggles all round.
I’ve had multiple trips out to ´Torassic Park´ – named due to its rather spectacular entrance gates, and I simply can’t get enough. It’s an absolutely ace set up. ToroTrail have nailed the full package for the ultimate moto getaway from busy life at home. A short flight to Malaga and you’re in a beautiful Spanish villa with a pool and a fleet of new Husqvarna enduro bikes, all the kit and the ultimate riding terrain.
With endless terrain and a range of bike sides, including four and two strokes, ToroTrail can cater for any level of riders. From absolute off road newbies to experienced riders. No matter on your’ ability they guys will find the terrain to suit and have years of experience helping you improve your skills. Riding starts near immediately from the house giving a mix of large fire tracks, small single track, technical and sweeping riverbeds and more hill climbs and descents that you can shake a stick at. One of their really popular routes even takes you to the beach for a seaside lunch.
Summary
Lyndon, the man behind it all, is an absolute hero and has gathered together a fantastic team of very capable riders to make for the best experience. With full accommodation and all the desired facilities on site it’s incredible. If you’re wanting a long weekend away and some off-road fun, this is the place to go.
One thing to add, is that they also offer enduro tours in Morocco
and Portugal. I’ve only experience they Spanish tours and highly recommend.
Periodically ToroTrail get a pro rider in to combine an amazing Spanish riding adventure with some serious enduro learning. I was lucky enough to join an enduro training day with Paul Bolton!
Here’s my GoPro 7 headcam footage riding a stretch of riverbed doing hard enduro training in Malaga, Spain with Paul Bolton. We’re riding laps in the riverbed, watch me cut my time down and also some awesome falls and over takes by Paul! This was riding the Husqvarna TE 300i with ToroTrail.
Day 1 with ToroTrail
Day 2 with ToroTrail
Day 3 with ToroTrail
Day 4 with ToroTrail
Day 5 with ToroTrail
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
I’ve done 50 hours riding the Husqvarna TE 150i over the last two months, including enduro and trail riding, a little motocross and technical hard enduro in a range of conditions.
In a nutshell this is a highly capable machine, it’s light, agile and ready to give you confidence in a heap of conditions. So let’s go into the details.
The TE 150i is a pocket rocket not to be underestimated!
Capacity
First
thing that comes to mind is people’s reactions towards it ‘only’ being a 150….
Now this is a very important part for me, just because it’s small it certainly
doesn’t mean it’s not capable, exciting and fast. Modern fuel injection engines
offer such huge advancements in technology that the classic ‘size’ chat is
becoming something of the past in many ways.
Size matters hey? Which would you pick
The Husqvarna TE 150i is an incredibly smooth engine and with a 54.5 mm stroke, the crankshaft is perfectly balanced to reduce vibrations making it a non-fatiguing bike to ride. If you’re looking for enduro or MX it’s a punchy machine with plenty of acceleration [note for MX you’re best on a TC or FC].
You do need to calibrate to the 150i because for technical riding keeping the bike in the powerband means you really have to ride it, you’ll be shifting through the gear box and keeping it in the power band more than on a larger bike. But being able to really work the machine is a fantastic skill development and doesn’t lose you time. A small negative when we think about the advantages of it being such a small machine.
Husqvarna have worked incredibly hard on this new generation of bikes to get the weight down and the 150i weighs in at just 99.6kg pre fuel. That’s only 50% heavier than me! It’s also a very narrow machine all over including the tank and seat, boosting that small feeling.
With
such a streamline lightweight bike you’re going to find the power goes
considerably further, you’re carrying less around for a start. But this also
gives a massive confidence boost. It’s more like a mountain bike, you feel able
to throw it around, leaning it over to find traction, manoeuvre it without
using so much energy, and tackle obstacles with less worry about the pick up
when / if you drop it.
Alongside
this, is it’s incredible low seat height at just 96cm. I’m 172cm and can easily
get ground contact on either side. Another great confidence booster.
Light, lean and low.
One of the key areas I suspect this weight has been lost is in the frame. Husky have created an injection moulded fibre reinforced plastic subframe, moving away from the more traditional aluminium subframe.
Photo by Phill Hodges
Quality
Lots
of little things shine with the Husqvarna in terms of its beautiful build
quality. For example, the simplicity of having some of the torque value
settings imprinted on the bike. It’s simple but saves times with manuals
hunting settings. What I’d love to see next is oil volumes printed and more
torque settings.
Machined
triple claps, a really solid robust set of plastics that are built to a super
high tolerance. It’s apparent when installing or removing.
I
love that it has a kick start and the electric, I’ve never actually used but
it’s nice to know it’s there.
My
only qualm would be the headlight design as it sticks out rather a lot making
it vulnerable to impact…which is exactly what happened to mine. Oops.
Suspension
The obvious quality for Husky is their rising rate linkage system. It’s a progressive system, so the more force you put on the harder it gets. The advantage is it will absorb the small bumps at low speed and the larger high-speed impacts with considerable more ease. The downside is the linkage is a little vulnerable with your ground clearance, however the clearance is only 10mm less than the KTM and also a small guard can give it all the protection it needs for bottoming out on rocks and logs.
Husqvarna linkage suspension protection
Fuel injection
As
a transfer port injection bike the benefits are clear: besides huge
improvements in fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions, the system also removes
the need for pre-mixing fuel and re-jetting, meaning that with less effort, the
engine always runs smoothly and crisply.
An
example of how this can help would be high altitude riding where the air
pressure changes, the bike will intelligently adjust the mapping using the barometric
pressure sensor to ensure optimised performance.
The
move to TPI was to meet new Euro 4 emissions but of course has all these
benefits.
With these details I would definitely say the Husqvarna is a clear winner for me.
I’ve also completed the Valleys Xtreme hard enduro, arguably the toughest in the UK, and not once did I feel I was lacking umph on the TE 150i. It’s lightweight nimbleness had me finishing silver in my first ever hard enduro.
Photo by Phillip Hodges
Final Verdit
So there it is. That’s my thought on the 2020 Husqvarna TE 150i. It’s an incredible bike for confidence building but also highly capable. Ideal for expert riders or people wanting to advance their skills, especially for people on the smaller side or women or anyone after a pocket rocket.
Guaranteed fun, but beware your friends will have bike envy!
It’s the best enduro landscape I’ve ever experienced
After
three days enduro riding in Ukraine I can safely say it’s the best enduro
landscape I’ve ever experienced. In Ukraine there are no motorcycle
restrictions, you can freely roam the rugged landscape, accend which ever
mountain you fancy (if you can make it up that is), traverse peaks, cross
rivers and ride until your exhausted.
KTM EXCF 500 Six Days
See the local culture
Deep snow riding
Satisfaction guaranteed
Winter wonderland
Enduro
Dreamland land are fully equipped with an fleet of KTM EXCF 500 Six Days that
are in ace condition. You can stay culturally immersed with Sasha and his
family or opt for a local hotel (I recommend the home stay, you have your own
room and en suite). For me, I got to enjoy an new culture in a new country so
removed from my home life, the terrain pushed me, helping refine my riding
skills and give me training experience pre Romaniacs hard enduro. And I enjoyed
an epic adventure while making new friends.
And, for anyone worried about the political uncertainty in Ukraine I urge you to read up on things and you’ll realise that where Enduro Dreamland are, 3 hours from Lviv, it’s completely safe. A world away from the conflicts. It’s an incredible country, somehow untouched, authentic and full of wilderness (and more importantly no mass fast food chains and the same old global brands).
I would 110% recommend Enduro Dreamland land and guarantee I’ll be back to Ukraine with them again soon!
Working out what tyres are best for you is a bit of a mine field. Knowing the difference on which black rubber tyre beats another black rubber tyre in terms of performance, traction, durability and gip, where do you start? Here is where I started and how I ended up riding the Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme.
Metzeler MCE Six Days Extreme tyre review
The foundation
Know your legal requirements
First up, there are legal implications on tyres. If you’re
wanting to do any green laning / byway ffr-road riding, they’ve got to be road
legal or you’ll risk having the cops on your tail. You’ve then got to consider
any events on your calendar, are you planning to race? Many events have
specific tyre regulations, such as complying with ACU [Auto Cycle Union] or FIM regs. Otherwise
you’ll hit the pre-race inspection and be rather disappointed. The Metzeler
MCE 6 Days Extreme are race and road compliant.
What are you wanting to ride?
For me, I want something that could handle an array of
terrains. I tend to mix things up, pushing myself in different conditions to
broaden skills and keep things interested. This means a specific MX or trials
tyre is immediately vetoed. I need something soft enough to give me decent grip
but no so soft I’m burning through like a chain smoker. This terrain element
also leads you to the question of tubes, tubeless or mousse. Having had three
punctures in just two days riding, one being in the pouring rain, I’m a mouse
girl.
Tube, Tubeless or Mouse
For mouse’s you’ll be running at a constant and
non-adjustable tyre pressure, and in tricky terrain a softer tyre can really
help you out for grip and balance. That means I wanted a softer compound tyre
to give back some of the variability in pressure for more technical terrain.
This effectively gives you a softer footprint. I want the world on a stick with
a durable strong carcass that’s going to take a lot of punishment in very rocky
technical accents that you might find in a granite quarry, such as Cown Leisure or Wern Du, but also something to
help me out when I’ve facing gnarly rock steps and logs. It’s not unknown to
tear a side wall in these gnarly conditions resulting in your precious mouse or
tube being exposed. When doing tougher competitions such as Romaniacs I will be
drilling out my mousses to effectively reduce the tyre pressure. The drill holes
create air space through the mousse which enables additional compression and
thus a softer ride.
One thing to bear in mind is that mousses are not legal
on UK roads, you will not pass an MOT. Many cut out a valve from an old inner
tube and leave it in the rim. Not fool proof but I’ve heard on the grape vine
it does the trick. Disclaimer – you didn’t hear this from me.
Metzler MCE 6 Days Extreme
I’m currently at 64 hours riding on my MCE 6 Days Extreme in
a broad mix of terrain.
Test Conditions
Terrain
Rocks, slick wet, dry, lose, rounded, jagged
Hill climbs on mud, slate, granite, rock
Grass, long slippery, rutted, short
Lose forest tracks, peaty mud, mulch woodland
areas, deep ruts,
I’ve punched out about 62 hours riding on the MCE Days
Extreme tyres, riding in a real mix of locations, terrains, weather conditions
and disciplines. My tyre walls are in really good condition, the box blocks are
wearing down but they’re still all in tacked. No reason why I couldn’t do
another intense rally or enduro weekend on them. A balance between rigidity and
overall flexibility of the polyester provides excellent resistance to
puncturing or damage, especially on rocky terrain. They are basically wearing
nice and evenly, nothing has broken off, ripped, torn etc. Wear you would
expect from the riding.
Traction
I really can’t say a word wrong about their grip. They’re
profile track always bite and engage when put under pressure. In cornering they
grab hold and hold a firm line, giving me confidence to braap out laying down
the power. The only place I’ve felt I struggled for traction was in the Wye
Valley in snotty terrain. Smooth rock faces encrusted with alge that never
seeing the light of day. They would be wet and slick in the midst of a drought.
But, I’m not sure many tyres would handle it, it’s a low-pressure super soft trials
tyre territory so again, nothing bad to say on the MCE 6
Days Extreme there.
I really feel like these tyres have given me the extra
confidence in my connection to the ground, the feel, grip and corning stability,
helping push my riding faster and harder.
Even with the best tyres you can’t make up for skill
Performance
If you’re like me, riding a mix of topography, you’ll need
your motorcycle to adapt to different terrains, and so versatility in the tyres
is vital. Without getting into the tech, the MCE 6
Days Extreme use a casing with Polyester
material with high strength and X-Ply construction…techy. It results in greater
structural characteristics and an overall upgrading of stiffness. The benefit
is an increase of shock absorbing properties and structural stability. It’s
still all a bit techy, but it ultimately means more predictable feedback from
the tyre, enhancing control in all conditions.
Wet
When it comes to grip, it’s important to think about the
tyre compounds, the MCE 6
Days Extreme uses a high-performance Carbon Black to reinforce the
structure of the knobs. It basically means a more stable tread, especially at
high temperatures, which gives better accuracy and trajectory, resulting in
better grip both on dry and slippery surfaces.
Road
This is the area where my experience is the least effective
to review. I’ve only done a few odd bits on tarmac linking byways and I always
hate it. The vibration on a 200 2-stroke braaping down the road means I just
hold on and get back off-road as swiftly as possible. I’ve never felt a lack of
traction or noticed any high wear from the hard ground. No dramas on the road.
Sand
Ultimately for sand you’re really after a big paddle sand tyre, but these aren’t going to be road legal and will be useless in other conditions. It really is about finding the best balance of tyre performance for the conditions you ride. I hit some deep sand with the MCE 6 Days Extreme and it was dreamy. They dug in and powered me through, I felt as must traction as you can hope for in deep sand, felt impressive directional control, but again as much as you can hope for in sand without a sand tyre. Winner to me.
Cleaning
With great spacing in the chunky treat the 6 Days Extreme are
ace at self-cleaning. Yes in mega Welsh bogs you’re going to get a lots of mud
everywhere, but give them a spin up and they quickly clean out, regaining your
traction and grip.
Highlights
A great
balance of performance and durability
DOT
Approved, road legal and ACU compliant
The 6 Days Extreme has won 26 World
Enduro Championships since their debut
Features
Tube type (TT), mouse compatible
Knob distribution and geometry designed to offer
outstanding grip and traction with high resistance both in dry and wet
conditions, from soft/loose terrains to hard
High Resistance Polyester carcass-material with
X-ply construction for superior structural characteristics and excellent
puncture resistance
OEM fitment on KTM 450/525 EXC models
The ultimate off-road tire developed with World
Champion factory enduro riders for the most extreme conditions
Both front and rear tires are DOT approved; M-
and R-speed rated
Overall Rating
I highly rate the Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme. They’re a tyre that offers feeling, grip and stability, brilliant braking authority and a strong durable tyre to last across a variety of terrain.
The Girl On A Bike with XLMoto tyre changer and Metzeler MCE Six Days Extreme
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harley’s and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
You’re set on nailing this new skill. You’ve had the full download step-by-step on what to do from your buddy and you’re ready to try it again. There are at least 4 different things you need to seriously focus on to get it right. Body forwards, arms straight, elbows up, feather the clutch, look up, momentum. They’ve run you through it and you’re ready…
But then as you pull away it happens. The mind goes poof and before you’re even lined up your racking the mind for what to remember. As you’re riding in you’ve forgotten the arm position, reverting to your classic way. You can hear your buddy faintly in the background shouting reminders, but nothing can be deciphered over the sound of your heart racing and engine revving. You don’t make it.
Now let’s try this again with the Cardo training system in play. You’ve had the full download tuition and you’re pulling away. But you’re not pulling away from the tuition, only physically, because installed in your helmet is the Cardo intercom allowing your buddy to continue to guide you through with up to a mile range. As you ride on you can hear their gentle reminders, elbows up, more gas, and suddenly your mind is able to process all the instructions and before you know it….you’ve made it up. The small tweaks from their observations enable you to focus and get all the pieces of the puzzle together.
Cardo Systems Packtalk Training Intercom
The fact of the story is that the human mind is incredible but when given a list of steps to follow while the heart is racing stretching your skills…it simply struggles to retain it.
This is where intercom connections can be incredibly useful for accelerating the progression. With live as you go input from your buddy or coach you can refine and improve as you go. And even better you don’t have to stop and regroup to get more tips. The tips are like a live stream in your headset. Sounds intense? No, it’s fantastic and you can always shut the volume down and crank up your music if you have too much.
I’ve been out training at Pascuet Off Road Centre with Jordi Pascuet and Jarvis Signature Tours and having the intercoms has certainly accelerated my learning. It simply facilitates an easy tutorial environment. If you’re both riding simply use the normal helmet mounts, but if you have a buddy or coach on the ground off the bike, the training headset rocks. No need for them to stand in a helmet just to chat.
Live stream your tuition with Cardo.For Cardo Systems discount codeuse link HERE for 10-25% off Cardo products https://cardosystems.rfrl.co/5gxzq and use code “TGOAB” You can also see my code over on Wethrift
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harley’s and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
There’s no
doubt that motorcycle riding is a lifestyle. Whether someone in your life uses
a motorcycle to commute, is a member of a bike club, or even owns a motorcycle
shop, it’s clear that it is a meaningful part of his or her life. But buying a
gift for a motorcycle lover can be difficult. Here are the top gift ideas for
the motorcycle enthusiast in your life.
A new jacket
A
motorcycle rider can never have too many jackets, and also can never be too safe.
If you want to surprise a motorcycle lover, pick up a jacket. For me I always
like something that’s not the normal colour…so anything but black, but you’ll
know your buddy more than me. You can decide between premium leather jackets,
textile and casual motorcycle jackets.
Just make sure you know the person’s size before buying a jacket.
Some of my favourites:
Speed and Strength Cross My Heart Moto Shirt – not your usual jacked but for a summers day, it’s a great way to stay protect and rock the casual look Rev’It Outback 2 jacket it you’re heading on an adventure this is a great choice Gerbing Explorer 7v heated gilet jacket – since owning this I’ve not had an excuse to be cold. The warmth through the core is ace both on the bike or in general life walking the dog, popping into down or generally whenever the weather is on the chilli side.
Gerbing 7v heated Explorer gilet
Casual gear
Riding a motorcycle isn’t all about the most durable gear or aftermarket parts, sometimes it’s simply about looking the part and rocking the look you’re going after. This is where us motorcycle enthusiast love casual riding gear. You could pick up a T-shirt, epic bobble hat, hoody, or a pair of sunglasses. This is a great way to give a motorcycle enthusiast an extra piece of gear to wear in non-riding settings.
Fortheshore bobble hats
Phone mount
Now if they’re anything like me, the chances are that the person you’re buying a gift for has a smartphone and it’s probably full of motorcycle pictures and videos. One of the biggest pains for me when riding is having a place for my phone as they just keep getting bigger. My iPhone 8 plus won’t fit in any of my pockets. So, you can get a phone mount so he or she can keep the phone secure during rides. A phone mount is also great for providing a clear view of GPS navigation and would like to their headset for seamless navigation if they’re using something like my favourite, a Cardo PackTalk Bold.
Cardo PackTalk the perfect gift
OEM or Aftermarket parts
Now if you’re super lucky and the buddy receiving the gift is forthcoming about their desires, or you’re knowledgeable about the motorcycle in question, you can go the extra mile and pick up a specific part. The bolt on extra that adds an extra level of customisation is always a winner. What about a timer cover, fairing, unbreakable clutch leavers or a new seat? Whether it’s OEM or aftermarket, you can’t go wrong with the best motorcycle parts and accessories.
Custom HD timer cover @TheGirlOnABike
Accessories
There are
so many great accessories for motorcycles on the market, from luggage packs to
Bluetooth headsets to disc locks and trickle chargers. Pick one that you think
will be the best hit!
For me, I would definitely recommend the CTEK battery sense. It’s a small but highly powerful and practical device giving you the confidence that you’re ride will be ready to go when you are. Alternatively, how about a guardian bell [also known as a gremlin bell] to keep those demons away.
Summary
I realise you might have reached the bottom of this article and still not have found a concrete idea for a gift, but I’m afraid the perfect gift isn’t something a stranger can conjure up. Try and picture the friend. What do they love? Do you know makes them tick? What do they get excited about? Focus on this and I’m sure you’ll come up with something. Showing you care for the motorcycle rider in your life is easy with these gifts for motorcycle enthusiasts and a little thought!
How to vinyl wrap motorcycles, fuel tanks and fairings
DIY ‘Do It Yourself’ – for the Bike
The Complete Guide to Wrapping
Harley Davidson DYNA Street Bob 2015
I would encourage everyone to give it a go, and I hope the below helps arm you with all the information you need on how to vinyl wrap your motorcycle or car successfully. For more information on the pros, cons and tips for wrapping please see my Complete Guide to Vinyl Wrapping article.
I recommend Motos.pl for buying wrap. It’s a great fast service and the cheapest sources of original 3m vinyl wrap.
Why only 3m?
From my experience, 3M is the leader in the high-performance film. As a product developed with 3M’s vast experience; it’s really like the Ferrari of wraps. No other product comes near.
It comes ready to use right out of the box as a self-adhesive vinyl
It handles easily, with a perfect balance between flex and rigidity
It’s semi-permeable allowing to escape, preventing and eliminating bubbles
It is a pressure-activated adhesive, which enables you to apply and reposition until you have the perfect finish.
Yes, there are cheaper competitor brands out there, but ultimately, wrapping is a tricky game so why make it harder with inferior materials. Buy the best and make life easier for yourself.
The Recipe
Pick your wrap
The world is pretty much your oyster here, these wraps come in literally all colours and patterns, whether it’s a matte look, gloss or even carbon fibre effect you’re after. If you can imagine it, you can probably find it. I’d recommend taking a look at the colours available on the 3M website to select your finish and colour.
You can then buy it on eBay, Amazon or search Google to look for the cheapest source. As long as you’re careful to ensure its genuine 3M branded wrap, you can go for the cheapest outlet.
I always go for 3M 1080 wrap vinyl series
Dismantle and clean
With a motorcycle [or car] you need to ensure you give yourself the easiest surface possible to wrap. I’d, therefore, recommend removing any panels you can so you can twist, turn and work around the part while wrapping. This includes tanks, fairings, battery covers, fenders etc. Once apart, it’s time to clean. This is vital as any dirt, dust or oil will impede the vinyl’s ability to stick. I recommend a hot soapy wash to clean the worst; Fairy Liquid can be a good one for busting grease. Make sure you allow it plenty of time to fully dry! You then want to use isopropyl alcohol to ensure the surface is 100% clean and grease free. For this make sure you use a lint free cloth to leave a pristine surface. Also, while the wrap does cover your paintwork up, it does show things through as it will follow all contours. My general rule – if you can feel it, it will likely show up. Therefore, if you have any scratches, dents or rust, you will want to treat them first to ensure a smooth surface. Once clean, be careful to keep your grubby fingers off the surface. Cleaning needs:
Remove parts from bike
Give a hot soapy wash
Treat any dents, rust and contours
Use lint free cloth and isopropyl alcohol
Prepare your working area
You want to be in an area with decent lighting and minimal air flow as wind could catch your wrap and cause creases, and also blow dust into the air sticking to the adhesive. I’ve heard a lot of professionals say you can’t wrap outside, I personally disagree. I’ve wrapped my Mercedes-Benz Viano twice [4 years apart] outside and both times saw a perfect finish. You want it to be dry, dust and wind free but I say outside is okay if it’s a mid-range temperature. <insert Mercedes shot>
Having said that, and given that removable motorcycle parts are mostly small in size; I would recommend doing the bike inside. My ideal is on a table where you’re able to move around the table instead of having to spin the object, such as a tank constantly.
Depending on your work surface you might want to put some protection down to both protect your table from sharp corners of the fender and also protect the paintwork from the hard surface. I just used some soft packaging – make sure it won’t leave bits on your wrap.
Finally, think about items you can use to support the item being wrapped while wrapping. A friend is the easiest option but if you’re wrapping solo anything from a large cooking bowl to support a fender can be a great aid leaving you with two hands to manipulate the wrap.
Area specs:
Decent lighting
Minimal air flow
Dust free environment
Surface / table you can move around
Something to prop the item on
Within reach of electrics for heat gun
You’re now ready to get wrapping!
Wrapping
Start by roughly cutting a section of wrap slightly larger than the item being wrapped. Always go larger than the area being wrapped to allow a safety net and to give an area to touch when applying and manipulating on it. Give the surface a final check to make sure it’s clean.
Remove the backing and apply the vinyl to the flattest part of the panel first to create a baseline. You’re then going to use your felt pad to work the wrap ongoing from side to side slowly. At this stage, you want to keep the vinyl as level as possible.
Once, you’ve done the easier flat areas you should stretch the vinyl without heat over the whole area. Don’t be tempted to work the film into the more complicated areas yet; this will come gradually.
Once the wrap is where you want it, you need to apply firm pressure with your felt pad as it’s a pressure-activated adhesive. You’ll do this gradually as you go.
Heat manipulation
Once you’ve worked in the wrap to a basic level, you’re going to need to start using some heat. The beauty of 3M wrap is its ability to stretch to up to 40 percent so it can be molded around curves and edges.
Here’s the magic, heat allows it to stretch but then heat also allows it to shrink back to its original form due to thermal material memory! It’s truly witchcraft! Whatever it is, it’s exactly what you need for wrapping something as tricky as a motorcycle as I can guarantee you won’t stretch it perfectly first time. It means you can heat stretch, apply pressure, remove, heat shrink, heat stretch, and apply… over and over. It’s an incredibly forgiving material.
When stretching the vinyl be careful to always pull outwards from the already applied area using a large section to spread the tension. This is to ensure a nice even stretch. This also applies when you use extra heat to soften and stretch the vinyl, apply heat to a larger area than you need as this should help to avoid you distorting the material.
You’ll find that you won’t get the required stretch in one, you’ll likely need to stretch and apply a small section, and then heat shrinks it, before then stretching again for the next small section. You do want to be careful not to demand too much stretch and shrink from the material, but you’ll find it exciting to do this multiple times. Plus, because modern adhesive reaches its most sticky state after 24 hours, it makes the wrap repositionable over and over [within limits].
The Frame Trick
A tip for wrapping a fuel tank is to use a large picture frame. Here you will stick the edge of the wrap to the frame, so it’s held flat across the frame. You can then have one person holding the frame while the other heats up the whole wrap surface. Once warm and supple, you can apply even tension to the full parameter of the frame and work the wrap down onto the tank. This will only work for the first section, but it massively helps you get started without too much crumpling around the edges.
The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Vinyl Wrap Tank 1 e1501182055131
The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Vinyl Wrap Tank 2 e1501182065354
The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Vinyl Wrap Tank 3 e1501182079134
The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Vinyl Wrap Tank 4 e1501182008789
The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Vinyl Wrap Tank 5 e1501182022917
The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Vinyl Wrap Tank 6 e1501182045114
The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Vinyl Wrap Fender 1 e1501182310728
The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Vinyl Wrap Fender 2 e1501182284680
The Girl On A Bike Motorcycle DIY Vinyl Wrap Fender 3 e1501182293306
Heating and shrinking:
Heating the wrap will allow a material stretch up to 40 percent before distorting
Heating also allows the wrap to shrink back to its original form via material memory
If you crease or crumple the wrap, simply pull it apart, and heat will see it return to its original form
Heat with a hot hair dryer or gentle heat gun–if it burns your fingers it will burn your wrap – turn the temperature down or move further away
Eliminating bubbles and creases
If you find out you have a bubble or crease, don’t panic. As long as you’ve not applied pressure to the pressure-activated adhesive, you’ll be able to pull the wrap and apply a little heat to shrink the surface back to its former state and try again. If you’ve applied pressure, you can sometimes gently pull the wrap back but be careful, if you’re pulling and it’s proving difficult you might just have to accept a small crease. The tip here is; don’t apply pressure on a crease.
Bubbles are easier to deal with if you can’t pull back. The first option is to give it five minutes; the air permeable properties might allow it to dissipate out with time. If this doesn’t work, use a pin or knife point to make a small puncture, then apply a little heat and push the air out.
Elimination
Pull back the wrap and try again, using heat to return wrap to original from
Pin prick bubbles and gently heat while pushing the air out
Wrap around the edge / underside
Once you’ve fully wrapped the visible surface, you want to tidy off the underside. Always try to wrap around into the non-visible area, for example, the underside of the fender. With these areas, it’s important you get a nice stick, but it really doesn’t matter how rough it looks as no one can see it.
I recommend using a 3M primer to give the wrap little extra support in sticking. Simply using a small brush to apply it around the edge and give it around 90 seconds to cure before continuing.
Use heat to ensure the wrap is nice and supple and then gently pull the wrap around the underside in sections.
Trim edges
At this point, things should be starting to look pretty awesome. It’s time to get a very sharp knife to trim. I prefer to use a Stanley knife blade as it’s really small and easy to use around the contours. I recommend leaving a minimum of 15mm overlap around the underside.
If there is no underside, such as on a fairing, simply cut along the edge line of the item.
Be careful not to scratch your bike when cutting, I always try to cut away from the surface and then push the final bit of wrap down smooth.
Heat seal
Finally, you need to overwrite the wraps memory of being flat and un-stretched. Here you want to heat to 80-90ºC. I tend to crank my heat gun up high and play it by guesswork, but if you’ve got the gadget, you can use an infra-red temperature gauge to be sure that you have reached this temperature. I’ve not had problems without it, but I’m sure a professional would tell you otherwise.
Make sure you get both the wrap and substrate temperature gradually as anything less will see the vinyl retain its memory resulting in it popping out of recesses and curves – maybe not immediately but in time. It’s vital this is carefully done on all stretched areas and recesses but be careful not to overheat as that will damage the wrap.
Step back and enjoy your new look
Bonus: How to removing 3m vinyl wrap
Should you wish to remove the wrap, simply apply a little heat and gently pull the wrap away. It’s an easy job but take it steady. Once off you’ll need to use an adhesive cleaner or alcohol to clean off the remaining glue.
Time Required
How long is a piece of string? This will really come down to experience. My first tank on the Street Bob took 5.5 hours but it’s probably one of the hardest tank shapes to do due to its fish tank shape – it was also the first tank I’ve done. The Forty-Eight Sportster only took 3 hours in comparison. A fender would be about 45 minutes while a battery covers 30.
I recommend making sure you start at a time when you know you have a decent chunk of time [including light] so not to rush or feel pressured. I would also recommend not trying to do it all in one sitting as it is mentally rather tiring.
Ease of Completion
Honest answer. It’s tricky. It takes patience and a steady hand. But! It is achievable even without being a professional. The pros will tell you it’s not a home job, but I’m proof it can be.
Crowd Reaction
Mega! The bragging right of being able to say you wrapped it yourself is awesome. If you pick the right colour, the light will pop like no paintwork and draw attention. Wrapping, and the ability to simply change colour when you fancy it means you can trick people with your new ride [which is simply a new wrap].
People are genuinely fascinated by the wrap finish.
£££
For a motorcycle like a Sportster or DYNA if you buy 3 metres x 1.5 metres of wrap you’ll have more than enough [just in case you have to restart a piece]. Alcohol will be a few quid, along with a foam pad. As you’re doing it yourself, it’s a labour of love, so time is all it’ll cost.
I estimate wrapping your bike to cost about £120 / €150 / $170
Highlights
New look for a fraction of the cost
Satisfaction of doing it yourself
Totally achievable as an amateur
Tips From Experience
Have a friend help, 4 hands make it a lot easier than 2
Start with an easier item with the least amount of contour, leave the tank to last!
Avoid wrapping in cold weather
Leave plenty of time – don’t try and do it in a rush
Don’t start if you’re tired, you need patience and energy
Have some snacks and a kettle for tea/coffee nearby to keep you fuelled
If the heat gun burns your fingers it will burn the wrap
Be prepared to write off some wrap and start again if it goes wrong
Overall Rating
Wrapping gives your ride a totally new looks for a fraction of the cost and also protects your paintwork. It does take time and patience, but it’s so worth it for the finish and bragging rights.
Remember, I’m an account director in marketing…not a mechanic or engineer…so if
I can do it. You can do it!
Give it a go and give me a shout if you have any questions.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
